Take the Cake
LC: Hansel, why the rush?
Hansel: I was in this amazing house full of mouthwatering treats, but when I tried to take a bite, the owner turned into a total witch!
LC: There's no need to split. I found a charming place that serves up cases of delicious desserts called Sugarlina Bakeshop. It's nestled in the far away land of Pearl Kai Shopping Center.
Hansel: Ah, yes. I've heard of it. But a bakery that churns out moist cupcakes with addictive buttercream and cream cheese frostings in flavors like fleur de sel, a rich chocolate cake with caramel filling, chocolate frosting and a sprinkle of French sea salt, or strawberry cupcakes topped with fluffy strawberry buttercream, made with fresh homemade strawberry puree? I assumed it was fairy tale!
LC: I assure you, it's very real. The shop is run by sisters Aness and Farrah Song of Aiea, who fell in love with classic, elegant bakeries during their travels to Europe, New York and San Francisco. Farrah, a graduate of Gros Bonnet Culinary Academy, spent the past year perfecting recipes and ended up with nearly 20 different cupcake flavors that rotate daily.
If cupcakes don't strike your fancy, you can feast on macaroons in coffee, mango, lilikoi, pineapple or green tea. There's also a rich, creamy vanilla panna cotta topped with fresh berries, and a silky banana pudding layered with cake and bananas slices. The best part? They'll gladly give you samples of both, perfect for little boys who can't resist sneaking a taste.
After your journey, sit down and cool off with an organic iced tea, blended with fresh juice and natural syrup. And be on the lookout for cheesecake, a cross between a Japanese- and New York-style cake with a graham cracker crust, set to debut next month.
Hansel: Sweet! Sounds like we'll be eating happily ever after.
$2.95 cupcakes, $1.85 macaroons, $2.95 panna cotta, $4.50 banana pudding. Sugarlina Bakeshop, Pearl Kai Shopping Center, 98-199 Kamehameha Hwy. Click here for the daily cupcake menu or call (808) 312-3173.
